And while we know that gender parity won't happen overnight, the good news is that across the world women are making positive gains
day by day. Plus, there's indeed a very strong and growing global movement of advocacy, activism and support.

So we can't be complacent. Now, more than ever, there's a strong call-to-action to press forward and progress gender parity. A strong
call to #PressforProgress. A strong call to motivate and unite friends, colleagues and whole communities to think,
act and be gender inclusive.

International Women's Day is not country, group or organisation specific. The day belongs to all groups collectively everywhere. So
together, let's all be tenacious in accelerating gender parity. Collectively, let's all Press for Progress.

IWD campaign theme continues all year

March 8 sees the annual IWD campaign theme kick off for the year ahead, although many groups around the world adopt and promote the campaign theme from early
in the year. The IWD campaign theme provides a unified direction to guide and galvanize collective action. The campaign theme does not end on International
Women's Day. It's just the start. Throughout the year many groups worldwide adopt the IWD campaign theme for further campaign work, gender-focused initiatives,
continuing activity and events. A great example of this was in 2017 when the USA Women's Hockey Team went on to adopt the #BeBoldForChange IWD campaign theme
to later rally for equal pay, boycotting the national
finals unless a suitable deal was struck. Many fans and further teams
supported the campaign.

Collectively we can all play a part

Collective action and shared responsibility for driving gender parity is what makes International Women's Day successful.
Gloria Steinem, world-renowned feminist, journalist and activist
once explained
"The story of women's struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organisation but to the collective
efforts of all who care about human rights."

Started by the Suffragettes in the early 1900's, the first International Women's Day was celebrated in 1911. International
Women's Day belongs to all communities everywhere - governments, companies, charities, educational institutions, networks,
associations, the media and more. Whether through a global conference, community gathering, classroom lesson or dinner table
conversation - everyone can play a purposeful part in pressing for gender parity.

So make International Women's Day YOUR day and do what you can to truly make a positive difference for
women. Press for Progress!

2019 IWD partnership opportunities open

If your organisation is interested in learning more about IWD sponsorship, please make contact.

Send us your #PressforProgress pictures

Want us to promote and amplify your support for accelerating gender parity?
Send us your best #PressforProgress pictures showing your
commitment to gender parity and we'll be sharing some of the most engaging images on the IWD website and via social
media channels.

Celebrating campaign themes each year

For International Women's Day 2017 and beyond, individuals and organisations were encouraged to
#BeBoldforChange by taking ground breaking action that truly drives the
greatest change for women. Many influencers around the world committed to bold
action to accelerate gender parity, acknowledging their responsibility to do what they can to forge
a more gender inclusive world. Have you submitted your #BeBoldforChange
action yet?

Back in 2016, organisations and individuals around the world were invited
to support the #PledgeforParity campaign and commit to helping women and
girls achieve their ambitions; challenge conscious and unconscious bias; call for gender-balanced
leadership; value women and men's contributions equally; and create inclusive flexible cultures. From
awareness raising to concrete action, organisations
rallied their people to pledge support
to help forge gender parity on International Women’s Day (IWD) and beyond.

Each one of us - with women, men and non-binary people joining forces - can be a leader within our own
spheres of influence by taking bold pragmatic action to accelerate gender parity. Through purposeful
collaboration, we can help women advance and unleash the limitless potential offered to economies the
world over. We have urgent work to do - together!

Looking for resources and support?

International Women's Day resources help support awareness raising throughout the year:

Join the community

International Women's Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The
day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. International Women's Day (IWD) has occurred for well over a century, with the
first​ ​March 8​ ​IWD gathering supported by over a million people in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. Prior to this the​ Socialist Party
of America, United Kingdom's Suffragists and Suffragettes, and further groups campaigned for women equality. Today, IWD belongs to all groups
collectively everywhere. IWD is not country, group or organisation specific.​ Make IWD your day! - everyday!